Multiple switch-starter.



J. T. JANBTTE. MULTIPLE SWITCH STARTER. APPLICATION I'ILBD MAY 20, 1907.

Patented Feb. 9, 1909.

8 SHEETS-43111321 1.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR 45 flaw 53% AM 7M?) I ATTORNE 3. T. JANBTTE.

MULTIPLE swrron sun'rnn.

APPLICATION FILED [A120, 1907.

Patented Feb. 9, 1909.

' 8 SHEEN-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY J. T. JANETTE.

MULTIPLE SWITCH STARTER.

AYPLIOATION nun) In no, 1007.

Patent d Feb. 9, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

y/ [,1], V, n BY UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. JAllETTE, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGXOR TO THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG.

(10.. 0F MILVV'AUKEE, WISCONSIN.

A CURPOHATIUN OF WlBCONfiIN.

MULTIPLE SWITCH-STARTER.

No. 91 1,592i Specification of Application filed May 20, 1907.

Letters Patent.

To all whom it may; concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN T. JANETTE, a citizen of the United States, residin I at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwau rec and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Multiple Switch- Starters, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawin forming a part of this specification.

lVly invention relates to improvements in multiple switches. It is particularly applicable to motor controllers.

One of the. objects of the present invention is to provide means whereby each switch after the first serves to liold closed the precedin switch, so that the operator may let go '0 each switch after he closes the succeeding switch. i

' Another object of m invention is to pro- 'vide means whereby t 1e motor circuit will 'that is,

be opened unless all the resistance is removed from circuit.

According to the preferred form of my invention 1 rovide a pluralit of switches which are adlipted to be close in a definite sequence to remove the starting resistance from circuit. Interlocks are provided between the switches whereby each switch, after the first,serves to hold the preceding switch in' a closed position. The operator may, therefore, close the switches hand over hand, he ma close the first switch with one hand, then cl bse the 'next switch with the other hand, and then remove his hand from the first switch, and pass it over to the third switch, and so on until all the switches are closed. The last switch after it has been closed is adapted to be retained in that position. If for any reason the operator fails to close all the switches and removes his hand from the switch he has last closed, all the switches will be opened, and consequently the starting resistance will be reinserted in circuit and the motor circuit will he opened. It will, therefore, be seen that it will be impossible for the operator to leave in circuit a part of the starting resistance.

Of course the features of m invention maT be embodied in various di erent forms an the structure which I prefer to emplo and described particularly herein, may a chan ed 1n many ways without eliminating 'the c ara'cteristrcs that I seek to patent.

' For the purpose oi more particularly exemplifying my invention, l have assumed the structure illustrated in the accompanyingl drawings.

11 said drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of device embodying my invention, the handles of two of the switches being broken away in order that certain fea tures of the construction may be more readily understood. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View of one circuit arrangement therefor. Fig. 3 is an elevation of my invention showing the first two of the switches closed. Fig. 4 is a detailed elevation showing the retaining means for holding the last switch closed. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fi 1,'looki1-g in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 3, and Fig. '2

is a perspective view of a ortion of one of the operated handles for t e switches.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated the switch arms 1, 1, 1 and 1 are suitably pivoted or journaled, at one end, upon a shaft or rod 2, mounted in bearings 3, formed upon" suitable brackets 4 which are secured to a suitable base or panel 5. This panel may be formed from any insulating material such as soapstone, slate or the like and provides a base upon which the various arts of the switch are mounted. The bra-c ets 4 also support a rod 6 threaded through a rubber tube 7, which serves as a cushion or bufl'er' for switch arms to impinge against when thrown open.

Each switch arm carries a contact device 8 whiclrmay he formed from a numler of strips of copper, laid face to face, the free ends being adapted to engage contact surfaces and complete the circuit therethrough. The arms also carry arcing contacts 9, which are preferal ly supported upon a spring arm 10 tolted or otherwise secured to the upper end of the switch arm. 7 In order that the current which passes from the arcing contact 9 to the switch arm may not aiiect the s ring of the arm 10, the arcing contact is e ectrically connected by preferably braided copper conductors 1] wit 1 the switch arm. The cont cting me1nlers8 of the first and last switch arms are preferably made wider than the contactin meml ers of the intermediate arms as the circuit is made and broken at these points, and as it is desirable transversely extending lug 12 mounted on an inwardly extendin projection 13, the

urpose of which lug Wlll Le more fully hereniaiter disclosed.

'lhe switch arms are operated ty levers 14, 14, 14" and 14 respectively, suitaloly journaled upon a shal t or rod .5, also secured in the brackets 4. The lower end of each of the lovers is preferal 1y L shaped and the pivot point thereof is preferally in the cen ter of the Lase of the L. The end of each lever is-connected to an extension 16 on each of the switch arms, l y an intermediate link 17 which is pivotally connected to the lever and the extensionb Each lever, preferally on its hub, carriesa sto 18, which when the lever is in its open posltion, lies in the path of the lug 12 of the succeeding switch arm in such .a position that if it to attem ted to close the succeeding switch before t 1e preceding switch is closed, the lug 12 will engage the stop 18 and prevent the lever from Leing moved far enou h to close the switch.

-maintaining eadh of the levers 14 in their normal or open posi ion and with them the switch arms, a coiled spring 19 for each arm is provided, which has one end 20 thereof projecting into the base of panel 5 and the other end 21 connected to the lever, where y thespring will maintain/the lefverin its open position.

Upon the lv ase i ogrtl or panel 5 is mounted d. cpntaet tar 22with wzbfl'ohgone end of the contact device 8 of each-arm is adapted to engage, the other end of s aid device leing adapted to engage ontact terminals 23, 23*, 23' and 23, one for each switch arm. Each contapt terminal prefer-a1, 1y comprises a copor strip 24 suitai 1y secured upon a lase 25 in turn secured to the panel 5, and a car. on

' contact llock 26 which is secured upon the arcing contacts which close the circuit l. eiorecopper strip 1 y suitalle screws or lolts 27. The earl on I lock 26 and the contact 9 form and open the circuit aiter the main contacting devices 8, there. y preventing a deteriorating arc frorirforming at the main con tacts. Near the upper end of the operating lever 14 is provided a lateral] extending projection 28, which may take t 1e form of a screw and which is adapted, when the lever is moved to close the last switch arm, to engage a catch 29 formed on the armature 30 of a magnet 31. The armature 30 is at 34 to the l ottom pole piece 32 of t e magnet and when the arm is thrown downward, the projection 28 moves the armature into proximity into the upper pole piece 33, and at the same time engages lehind the catch 29 and retains the arm in its closed position as long as the magnet is energized.

Referrin now to Fig. 2 the contact 23i connected ;y a conductor 35 with one ter-' minal of thefield winding 36 of the motor, the opposite terminal of which is connected to the positive side 37 of the supply main. One terminal of the armature 38 of the motor is connected by conductor 39 with the contact 23 and the opposite terminal thereof is connected by a conduct-or 40 with the positive side 37 of the supply main. The negative side 41 of the supply main is connected with the contact bar or strip 22. A resistance 42 is divided into sections which are connected with the contacts 23 to 23".

respectively. One terminal of the winding of the magnet 31 is connected through a resistance 43 l'y a conductor 44 with the contact .23 and the opposite terminal is connected-l y a conductor 45 with the positive side 37 ol' the supply main.

'1 he operation of closing the switches is as follows: The operator, say by his left hand, moves the operating lever 14 downwardly, thereby throwing the switch arm linwardly, can sing the arcing contact 9 and the mam contact 8 to respectively engage their stationary contact members. .1 he downward movement of the first operating lever swings the sto 18 thereof oitward and at of the path o the l: g 12 on the switch arm 1 to permit the switch arm to close when the operator, still holding the first switch lever by his left hand, with his ri ht hand moves the lever 14 downward to c ose the switch arm 1. \1 hen, however, the switch is closed, the h g 12 thereof will be moved into on agement with the stop 18 of the operating ever 14 and hold the switch 1 closed. It will be noted, however, ,t] at tntil the first lever is moved to close the first switch, the stop 18 thereof is in a position to prevent the closing of the next switch, that is, in event it is at tempted to close the next switch, the l g 12 will engage the stop too soon to permit the switchto be closed. '1 he first switch being now held by the l: g 12 cf the second switch, the operator may remove his hand from the lever thereof, and while holding the lever of the second switch with his left hand, operate the third switch with his right hand, the sto 18 of the second switch having been move by the closing thereof, a sufficient distance to permit the third switch to be closed. 1he closing of the third switch carses the lug 12 thereof to engage the stop 18 of the second switch and hold the second switch closed, whereby the operator may remove his left hand'therefrom and while holding the third switch, close the for rth. 'l he closing of the for rth switch car ses the projection 28, carwhich lave previoi sly been closed will immediately open. By this arrangement the leav ving of a portion of a starting resistance in circtit by the operator is im ossi'ole. It will also be seen that (lLG to t e interlock. between the switches, they must be closed in a delinitc sequence. If after all the switches are closed the magne 31 becomes dencrgized for any reasons and releases the last. switch, the remaining switches will immediately open under the irnh once of their springs.

l have referred to the members 12 and 18 as l, gs and stops res ectively. '1 his designation is adopted for the purpose of distinction rather than for the purpose of description, for, as a matter of fact, their character changes with the operation of the switch, that is, the member 18, when it is attempted to close one of the switches, acts as a stop against which the member 12 impinges and thcreb prevents the closing of the switch thereo On the other hand when the switches are closed in their proper order, the member 12 becomes a stop against which the member 18 bears to hold the switch immediately precedin the one by which the member 12 is carric It will be therefore seen that the terms sto and hg are as a matter of fact interc angeable as applied to these two members.

'lhc electric f..nctions performed b r the above operation are as follows :--'l he 0 osing of the first switch arm closes the circ: it from the positive side 37, throi gh the field 36, to the negative side of the line, and at the same time closes the circuit throi gh the winding 31 of the retaining magnet, and also a circi it from the positive side 37 of the line thro' gh the arniati re 38, throi gh all of the resistance 42, thence across the first switch arm to the negative side 41. As the remaining switches are srceessively closed, the resistancc is c, t or 1:, step by step, iintil when the last switch is closed, the motor is operating i nderf ll speed.

\ihilc I have described my invention as being ads nod for controlling a starting resistance, the invent ion is applicable to other rses where it is desired to provide a )li:- rality (1f itchcs cf the character described. Also while I have shown the seq once of closing the switches being one after the other in mechanical series, it will be inderstood that this partici lar seq once may be varied withoi tdcparting from the invention.

ihe retaining magnet 31 forms what is known in the art as a no voltage release device, that is, in event cf failrre of 01 rrent or a drop in voltage below a predetermined point the magnet will release the switches and open the circi it. It is obvioi's, however, that any other retaining means may be srbstiti ted for that shown and described;

It is also obvious that the electrical cir- *ceedin switch is closed, all of the switches I cults and connections may be varied to suit varying conditions, and that various other means than those illustrated and described i may be provided to prevent the switches 5 from being operated except in a definite scsame have been closed.

Having thus described my invention what 1. claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a plurality of switchesfof means 0 erated by the closing of each switch for ho ding! closed the switch which immediately precedes it.

2. The combination with a plurality of switches, of means 0 crated by the closing of each switch for holding closed the switch which immediately precedes it, and means for holding the last switch closed.

3. The combination with a lurality of switches, of means 0 erated by tl ie closing of each switch for holding closed the svitch which immediately precedes it, and a retaining magnet for holding the last switch closed.

4. The combination with a plurality of switches, of means tending to: move said switches to an open position, said r ncans being rendered inoperative withfrespect to each switch when the succeeding switch is closed.

5. The combination with a pluralitv of switches adapted to be closed in a definite sequence, of'means necessitating the manual holding, of each switch in a closed position until the next succeeding switch of the sequence is closed.

6. The combination with a pluralit of switches adapted to be closed in a de mite. se uencc, of means necessitating the manual ho ding of each switch in a closed position until the next succeeding switch of the last switch closed.

7. The combination with a pluralitv of switches arranged to be closed in a definite sequence, of means for causing the opening of the switches closed in event the last switch closed is released before the next succeeding switch is closed.

8. The combination with a pluralitv of switches adapted to be closed in a definite sequence, of means for causing the o ening of all of the switches closed in event t e last switch closed is released before the next succeeding switch of the sequence is closed, and means for holding the last switch of the series clos'ed.

9. The'combination with a pluralit of switches adapted to be closed in a de nite sequence, of means whereby each switch after it is closed is adapted to hold another switch in a closed position.

10. The combination'with a pluralit of switches adapted to be closed in a dennite itches and to hold the switches after the sequence is closed, and means for holding the toggle connection between each lever and its corres onding switch, a stop carried by each lever tor preventing the closing of the succeeding switch exec )t when the lever is in a closed position, filhl switch except the first for holding, in a closed position the lover which immediately precedes it.

12. The combination with a plurality of switr hes, of a plurality of lovers for operating the same, a toggle connection between between the switches which prevents the levers from closing the same except in a definite seque ice and which serves to hold the preceding switch closed, and a retaining magnet for holding the last lever in a closed POSEUOD. F

13. In a motor controller, the combination with a resistance, of a plurality of hand operatcd switches for controlling the same, an interlock between said suitches whereby each switch except theiirst holds closed the switch which immediately precedes it, and; a low voltage device for retaining the hist switch of the series closed.

14. In a motor controller, the combination with a resistance, of a plurality of hand operated switches for controlling the same, means operated by each switch except thelirst for holding closed the switch which immediately precedes it, and a low voltage device for holding the last switch of the series closed.

15. In a motor controller. the combination with a resistance, of a plurality of switches controlling the'samo havinga tendency to move to open position, of means for causing said switches to be closed in a deiinite sequence, means operated by each switch. for retaining the switch which immediately preccdcs it closed, and a low voltage device for holding closed the last switch ol the series.

16. Inamotor controller, the combination with a resistance, of a plurality of hand operated switches lor ('(illtlflllllltl the same, one

a stop carried by each of said switches being adapted to control the motor circuit, means whereby each switch maintains closed the switch which innuediatclv precedes it, and a low lJlIflJC' device for holding closed the last switch m the series.

17. In a motor controller, the combination with a plurality of switches tending to stand in open position, a plurality of sections of resistance controlled thereby, means insuring the closure of said switches in a delinite sequence; means carried by each switch, except the first, for holding a preceding: switch closed and means for holding the last switch of the sequence closed, said last mentioned means being adapted to automatically release all of said switches.

18. In a motor controller, the combination with a plurality of switches tending to stand in open position, aplurality of soctionsol resistance controlled thereby; stops carried by said su itches for insuring the closure thereof 1n a definite sequence and providing, means whereby each switch, except the first, will each lever and its switch, and an interlock hold a preceding switch closed and means for holding the last switch ol the sequence closed, said last mentioned means being adapted to automatically release all of said switches.

19. In a motor controller, the combination with a plurality of resistance switches tending to stand in open position, a plurality of sections of resistance controlled thereby, stops carried by said switches for insuring the closure thereof in a definite sequence and providing means whereby each switch, except the first. will hold a preceding switch closed, and a retaining magnet for holding the last switch of the sequence closed, said magnet being adapted to automatically release all of said switches.

20. In a motor controller, the combination with a plurality of resistance switches tending, to stand in open position, a plurality of sections of resistance controlled thereby, a plurality of lovers adapted to actuate said switches, a toggle connection between each lever and its corresponding su itch, stops carried by said lever for insuring the closure of i said switches in a definite sequence, and a.

stop carried by each of said switches, except the first, for holding the last switch of the sequence in closed position and a retaining lnaqnet' for holdinq the last switch of the sequence closed, said m-icuet being adapted to at tonultically release all ol' said switches.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnCSSCS.

JOHN T. JANETTE.

Witnesses:

'I. E. BARNUM, R. H. MANsFIELD, Jr. 

